Terming Chittagong port the economic lifeline and international gateway of Bangladesh, Commerce Minister Tipu Munshi has said the government will give more priority to the port city considering its importance.
He hoped that the country's exports will increase by $60 billion, if the government is able to upgrade the port.
The minister said this while speaking as the chief guest at the inaugural ceremony of the month-long 29th "Chattogram International Trade Fair 2022 (CITF-2022)” at the city's Polo Ground on Tuesday.
He said: “Bangladesh has turned around with its strong economy. The position of Bangladesh will change very soon and we should build Chittagong into a world-class city regarding the demand of the country.
"I was not a minister four years ago. I went to Delhi. A Pakistani wanted to know, does your prime minister have magic in her hands? The Bangladesh economy and its development is a surprise to Pakistan.”
Munshi further said: "The government and businessmen have contributed to taking the country forward. The government will not do business, rather it will help the business community.”
He mentioned that edible oil prices are Tk15 higher in India and Tk36 higher in Pakistan compared to Bangladesh.
"Only 10% of edible oil is produced in the country. Wheat and pulses have to be imported. There is nothing wrong with our efforts. On the instructions of the prime minister, we have given oil and sugar to 10 million people at reasonable prices. Some 50 million people are benefiting. This will continue as long as the situation is not normal. We will have to subsidize," he added.
Organized under the auspices of the Chittagong Chamber of Commerce and Industry
(CCCI), Tipu termed the CCCI a century-old business organization.
CITF 2022 Convenor and CCCI Director Akter Hossain gave the welcome speech,
while CCCI President Mahbubul Alam presided over the function.
Former president of CCCI MA Latif, MP, City Mayor M Reazaul Karim Chowdhury and Chittagong Metropolitan Police Commissioner Saleh Mohammad Tanvir addressed the inaugural function as special guests.
Over 310 local and foreign stalls including 16 premier gold pavilions, 33 premier stalls, 99 gold stalls, 46 mega stalls and 14 food stalls have been set up at the fair venue covering a 400,000 square feet area on the Polo Ground.
Some of the leading industrial enterprises from Thailand and India will participate in the fair.
The CCCI authorities have been organizing the fair since 1993 and it got wide publicity from the Bangladesh missions abroad, foreign missions in Bangladesh and different trade bodies and globally famous trade websites.
The fair will be open to visitors from 10am to 10pm every day till June 30.
